There are few incidents
in the checkered life of David more pathetic than the one which is now to
engage our attention, illustrating as it also does the providential ups and
downs and the alternating spiritual prosperity and adversity which is the
lot of Godís people on this earth. All is not unclouded sunshine with
them, nor is it unrelieved gloom and storm. There is a mingling of both;
joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, assistance from friends and
injuries from foes, smiles from the Lordís countenance and the hidings of
His face. By such changes opportunities are afforded for the development and
exercise of different graces, so that we may, in our measure,
"know how to be abased and how to abound . . . both to be full and to
be empty" (Phil 4:12); and above all, that we may, amid varying
circumstances, prove the unchanging faithfulness of God and His sufficiency
to supply our every need.

David was called to
leave the lowly plains of Bethlehem to participate in the honors of Saulís
palace. From tending the flock he became the conqueror of Goliath and the
popular hero of Israel. But soon Saulís friendship was changed to enmity,
and David had to flee for his life, and for many weary months he was hunted
as a partridge on the mountains. Subsequently his fortunes were again
greatly altered, and from being an outcast he was crowned king of Israel.
Then he was enabled to capture Jerusalem, the stronghold of Zion, which
became "the city of David" (2 Sam. 5:7). There he established his
court and thither he "brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and
with the voice of the trumpet" (2 Sam. 6:15). But now we are to behold
him fleeing from Jerusalem and being separated from the holy ark: a fugitive
once more, in humiliation and deep anguish.

Ah, my reader, if you
be one of Godís elect, expect not a smooth and easy path down here, but be
prepared for varying circumstances and drastic changes. The Christianís
resting place is not in this world, for "here have we no continuing
city" (Heb. 13:14). The Christian is a "pilgrim," on a
journey; he is a "soldier," called on to fight the good fight of
faith. The more this be realized, the less keen will be the disappointment
when our ease is disturbed and our outward peace rudely broken in upon.
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous," and if they come not
to us in one form, they most certainly will in another. If we really
"appropriate" this promise (!) then we shall not be so
staggered when those afflictions come upon us. It is written that "we
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God"
(Acts 14:22), and therefore we should make up our minds to expect the
same, and to "think it not strange" (1 Peter 4:12) when we are
called upon to pass through "the fiery trial."

Affliction, tribulation
and fiery trial were now Davidís portion. "And there came a messenger
to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom" (2
Sam. 15:13). Visualize the sad scene: the dark clouds of a threatened revolt
had been steadily gathering, and now the storm bursts on the kingís head.
By this time David was some sixty years of age, with health and strength
greatly impaired. Ahithophel, his trusted counselor, had deserted him, and
Absalom his favorite son was now risen in rebellion against him. Not only
his throne, but his very life was in danger, together with the lives of his
wives and their little onesóSolomon was scarcely ten years old at this
time. What, then, does the king do? Nothing! There was no calling of a
counsel, no effort made to provision Jerusalem for the withstanding of a
siege, no determination to stand his rightful ground and resist his lawless
son.

"And David said,
unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us
flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest
he overtake us suddenly; and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the
edge of the sword" (v. 14). Now that at last the blow falls, David
passively acquiesces in what he evidently felt to be Godís righteous
chastisement upon him. When the awful news arrives that Absalom had set up
the standard of revolt at Hebron, Davidís only thought was immediate
flight. The intrepid warrior was now almost cowardly in his eagerness to
escape, and was prepared to give up everything without a blow. It seemed as
though only a touch was needed to overthrow his throne. He hurries on the
preparations for flight with nervous haste. He forms no plans beyond those
of his earlier wish to fly away and be at rest.

That David had good
reason to conclude the situation which now confronted him was a just
retribution upon his own crimes is quite evident. First, the Lord had
declared, "I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own
house" (2 Sam. 12:1), fulfilled here in the insurrection of his
favorite son. Other evidences thereof will come before us later, but at this
point we will consider, second, Ahithophelís joining hands with the rebel.
No sooner had Absalom determined to execute his daring plan than he looked
to Ahithophel. He appears, for some reason not specifically mentioned, to
have confidently counted upon his cooperation; nor was he disappointed.
"And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, Davidís counsellor,
from his city, even from Giloh" (15:12). It is to be carefully noted
that immediately after Ahithophelís coming to Absalom, we are informed,
"And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually
with Absalom" (v. 12)óintimating that Ahithophel was a host in
himself.

"And the counsel
of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had
inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both
with David and with Absalom" (16:23): in view of this statement we need
not be surprised that his joining heart and hand with Absalom so greatly
strengthened his cause. There is no doubt that he was the chief
instrument in this conspiracy, and the prime reason why so many in Israel
turned from the king to his traitorous son. His official status and the
great influence which he possessed over the people made Absalom glad to
avail himself of his help, both to sink the spirits of Davidís party and
to inspire his own with confidence, for Ahithophel was commonly regarded as
a prophet. But what was it that made Ahithophel respond so readily to
Absalomís invitation, and cause him to find still greater favor in the
eves of the people, as one who had been grievously wronged and deserved to
be avenged of his adversity?

To answer this question
the Scriptures must be searched and passage carefully compared with passage.
In the second half of 2 Samuel 23 the names are given of the thirty-seven
men who formed the special body "guardí (v. 23) of David. Among them
we find "Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite" (v.34)
and "Uriah the Hittite" (v. 39). Thus Eliam and Uriah were
fellow-officers and would be much thrown together. Hence, we need not be
surprised to learn that Uriah married the daughter of Eliam (see 2 Sam.
11:3). Thus Bathsheba, whom David so grievously wronged, was the
grand-daughter of Ahithophel; and Uriah, whom he so cruelly murdered,
was his grandson by marriage! Does not this fact explain why Davidís
"familiar friend" (Ps. 41:9) became his deadly foe, and account
for his readiness to aid Absalomóthus seeking to avenge the dishonor
brought upon his house.

Some years had passed
since this dishonor had come upon the family of Ahithophel, and during that
interval it appears that he had turned his hack upon David and the court,
and had quietly retired to his birthplace (15:12). Brooding over the
grievous wrongs which David had done to his family, the spirit of revenge
would rankle in his heart. It seems that Absalom was well aware of this, and
perceived that Ahithophel was only waiting for a suitable opportunity to
give vent to his feelings and execute his meditated wrath upon the head of
David. Does not this explain why Absalom approached him with confidence, made
known to him his treason, and counted on him welcoming the news and becoming
his fellow-worker? Does not this also account for so many of the people
transferring their allegiance from a throne which they knew to be defiled
with adultery and murder to the rebellious son?

Not only does
Ahithophelís blood-relationship to Bathsheba explain his readiness to take
sides with Absalom against the king, and account for the common peoplesí
transference of loyalty, but it also supplies the key to Davidís own
attitude and conduct at this time. It was additional evidence to him that God
was now dealing with him for his sinsóother proofs of this will come
before us later, but we must not anticipate. And most blessed is it to
observe him bowing so meekly to the divine rod. David felt that to withstand
Absalom would be to resist the Lord Himself; therefore, instead of
strengthening his forces in Jerusalem and maintaining his ground, he flees.
We cannot but admire the lovely fruit brought forth by the Spirit at this
time in Davidís heart, for to Him, and not to mere nature, must be
attributed that which is here presented to our view.

Long before this we had
occasion to admire the beautiful spirit evidenced by David when suffering for
righteousness, now we behold it again when he was suffering for
transgressions. Then we saw him as the martyr in the days of
Saul, bringing forth the fruits of meekness, patience, and confidence in
God, willing to be hounded by Saul day after day, and refusing to take
vengeance into his own hands and smite the Lordís anointed. But here we
see David as the penitent: his sin has found him out, brought into
remembrance before God, and he submissively bows his head and accepts the
consequences of his wrongdoing. This is quite beautiful, manifesting again
the workmanship of the Spirit of God in David. He alone can quiet the
turbulent heart, subdue the rebellious will, and mortify that innate desire
to take matters into our own hands; as He alone can bring us to humble
ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God, and hold our peace when He visits
our iniquity "with stripes" (Ps. 89:32).

Yes, it is, as we said
in our opening paragraphs, changing circumstances that afford
opportunity for the development and exercise of different graces.
Some graces are of the active and aggressive kind, while others are of a
passive order, requiring quite another setting for their display: some of
the traits which mark the soldier on a battlefield would be altogether out
of place were he languishing on a bed of sickness. Spiritual joy and godly
sorrow is equally beautiful in its season. It would be most incongruous to
mourn while the Bridegroom was present, but it is fitting for the children
of the Bridechamber to fast when He is absent. As there are certain
vegetables, fruits and flowers which cannot be grown in lands which are
unvisited by nipping winds and biting frosts, so there are some fruits of
the Spirit which are only produced in the soil of severe trials, troubles
and tribulations.

"And the kingís
servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever
my lord the king shall appoint" (v. 15). What we have just said above
is equally pertinent to this verse: the sad situation confronting David
revealed plainly the state of heart of those in his immediate employ. The
revolt of Absalom and his stealing the hearts of so many of the people
afforded an opportunity for these servants of David to manifest their unswerving
loyalty and deep devotion to their master. Exceedingly blessed is this,
supplying as it does the sequel to what was before us in verse 6. There we
saw that Absalom was a man well calculated to captivate the multitude. But
let it be duly noted that he possessed no attractions for those who were
nearest to David. That illustrates an important principle: while we maintain
communion with Christ, the antitypical David, the baits of Satan will have
no influence over us!

Let us observe too that
changing circumstances are necessary in order to test the loyalty of those
who are on intimate terms with us. Not only did this revolt of Absalomís
provide an occasion for the manifestation of Davidís subjection to the
will of God, but it also served to make unmistakably evident who were for
and who were against him. Prosperity is often a mixed blessing, and
adversity is far from being an unmixed calamity. When the sunshine of
providence smiles upon a person, he is soon surrounded by those who profess
great attachment to him; but when the dark clouds of providence cover his
horizon, most of those fawning flatterers will quickly take their departure.
Ah, my reader, it is worth something to discover who really are our
friends, and therefore we should not murmur if it takes the shaking of our
nest and the disrupting of our peace to make this plainly evident to us.
Adversities are a gain when they expose to us the hypocrisy of an
Ahithophel, and still more so when they prove the loyalty and love of the
few who stand by us in the storm.

"And the king went
forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which
were concubines, to keep the house" (v. 16). The writer feels his heart
awed as he reads the second half of this verseóa prosaic statement, yet
one possessing depths which no human mind can fathom. Apparently David acted
quite freely when he made this simple domestic arrangement, yet really he
could not do otherwise, for he was being directed by the unerring and
invincible hand of God, unto the outworking of His own counsels. Davidís
object in leaving behind the ten concubines was "to keep the
house," that is, to maintain the palace in some order and cleanliness;
but Godís design was to make good His own word.

A part of the
punishment which the Lord had announced should Fall upon David for his
evildoing was, "I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and
give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall be with thy wives in the sight of
this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all
Israel" (2 Sam. 12:11, 12). The execution of that threat is recorded
in, "So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house and
Absalom went in unto his fatherís concubines in the sight of all
Israel" (16:22). The connecting link between the two is seen here in
our present passage: "And the king left ten women which were
concubines, to keep the house" (v. 16). Again, we say, Davidís object
in leaving them behind was that they should "keep the house," but Godís
purpose was that they should be publicly insulted, raped by Absalom.
Unspeakably solemn is this fact: God directs those actions which
eventuate in evil as truly as He does those which terminate in good. Not
only all events, but all persons, and their every action, are under the
immediate control of the Most High.

"For of Him, and
through Him, and to Him, are, all things; to whom be glory
forever." (Rom. 11:36). Yet this neither makes God the "Author of
sin" nor man an irresponsible creature: God is holy in all His ways,
and man is accountable for all his actions. Whether or not we perceive the
"consistency" of them, each of these basic truths must be held
fast by us; nor must one be so maintained that the other is virtually
negatived. Some will argue, If God has foreordained our every action, then
we are no better than machines; others insist, If man is a free agent, his
actions cannot be directed by God. But Holy Writ exposes the vanity of such
reasonings: so far as David knew it was a voluntary act on his part when he
decided to leave ten of his concubines in the house, nevertheless he was
divinely "constrained" in it for the accomplishment of Godís
purpose.

"And the king went
forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far
off. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and
all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after
him from Gath, passed on before the king" (vv. 17, 18). No "fair
weather friends" were these. They had enjoyed with him the calm, they
would not desert him in the storm; they had shared the privileges of
Jerusalem, they would not abandon him now that he had become a fugitive and
outcast. It is striking to note that while Absalom "stole the hearts of
the men of Israel," all the Cherethites, Pelethites, and
Gittites remained steadfast to Davidóa foreshadowment of Christ, for
whereas the Jewish nation despised and rejected Him, yet Godís elect among
the Gentiles have not been ashamed to be His followers.